SOURCE: "Spalding Gray as Storyteller," in The New York Times, 16 November 1984, p. C 3.

In the following review of the premiere production of Swimming to Cambodia at the Performing Garage in New York, Gussow characterizes the play "a virtuosic evening of autobiographical storytelling. "

Were it not for the absolute simplicity of the presentation, one might be tempted to say that Spalding Gray has invented a performance art form. Sitting at a card table and talking to the audience, he offers a virtuosic evening of autobiographic storytelling. With the perspicacity of a master travel writer, he acts as reporter, comic and playwright of his own life.

His latest and best work is called Swimming to Cambodia, presented in two parts, in repertory, at the Performing Garage. The double-barreled dose of Spalding Gray was inspired by his experiences as an actor in the movie The Killing Fields. The film is a...